Doheny mum on NY-21, as Stefanik predicts support

ALBANY—Congressional candidate Elise Stefanik brushed off the possibility of a Republican primary in New York's 21st Congressional District, and said she was confident G.O.P. leaders would offer her campaign a strong endorsement next month.

Speaking with Capital at a Republican State Committee fund-raiser earlier this week, Stefanik said she was not concerned that Matt Doheny, a Watertown-area investor who has twice campaigned for the same seat, would detract from her support.

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“I give anyone credit who has thrown their hat in the ring in previous races," Stefanik said. "I'm really focused on my campaign and building my support. As I said, I've been overwhelmed with the support I'm getting throughout the district, so I'm going to keep moving ahead. A very divisive primary, as we had in 2009, we lost this seat. So I am working to unite the party in terms of both the G.O.P. counties and the Conservatives in the district.”

Doheny chatted with several of the district's county chairmen at the Tuesday evening event, and both he and an ally had previously assessed support by phone. He declined to speak with Capital about his ambitions, saying only that he was attending the event to support Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a potential gubernatorial candidate who served as its headliner.

Doheny was defeated in 2010, and again in 2012, by Rep. Bill Owens, a Democrat who announced earlier this month that he won't seek re-election this year.

Republican chairs in the district have received Doheny's overtures coolly, as Stefanik has projected a drumbeat of support. (Today's addition: Freda Solomon, widow of the late Jerry Solomon, who represented portions of the district for years.)

The Republican chairs will announce their preferred candidate on February 5, and encourage party operatives to circulate their petitions. Doheny (or anyone else) could force a primary by gathering the valid signatures of 1,250 voters.

In addition to Stefanik, other announced candidates include Joseph Gilbert and Michael Ringler.